Anaerobic Degradation of Individual Components from 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Process-Wastewater in Continuously Operated Fixed Bed Reactors

Production of bio-based materials in biorefineries is coupled with the generation organic-rich process-wastewater that requires further management. Anaerobic technologies can be employed as a tool for rectification such hazardous by-products. Therefore, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and its components were investigated their biodegradability continuous anaerobic process. The test included 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, levulinic acid, full process-wastewater. Each component was injected individually into continuously operating filter at concentration 0.5 gCOD. On basis large discrepancies within replicates each component, we classified degradation categories “delayed”, “retarded”, “inhibitory”. Inhibitory represented all hampered For retarded degradation, mean methane yield per gCOD between 21.31 ± 13.04 mL 28.98 25.38 mL. Delayed digestion considered adequate assessments which order conversion to according specific from highest lowest follows: acid > furfural Disparities inconsistencies compromise process stability whole. Hence, provision energy feedstock questionable.